职业治疗师是经过培训的医疗保健专业人员，以使个人有能力实现自己的目标，并在个人护理，工作，学习，娱乐和休闲活动中最大限度地发挥独立性。他们与任何年龄的人一起工作，并在各种场合中工作，从新生儿重症监护病房和其他医院环境到社区地点，例如学校，工作场所和房屋。职业治疗师具有独特的资格，可以识别和评估残疾人的功能局限性，并制定补救，补偿或适应这些局限性的策略。这些策略包括克服态度和环境障碍以及识别和改善获得辅助技术和服务的途径，以提高职业绩效和满意度。
If you're aspiring to pursue a career in occupational therapy, careful planning of your undergraduate program is essential to meet the prerequisites for admission to occupational therapy school. Occupational therapists are integral to the health care team, assessing and addressing conditions that impact individuals' ability to perform everyday activities.<br>The University of South Dakota's pre-occupational therapy path is designed to give students the necessary education for occupational therapy school. While the program covers required coursework, are encouraged to consult the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for information about how to apply to occupational therapy programs and should reach out to individual schools for specific admission requirements. It's important to talk with an advisor to plan your studies according to the schools you're interested in.<br>This pre-occupational therapy program does not lead to a degree, however USD offers an accelerated occupational therapy option, allowing students to complete both their undergraduate and professional degrees concurrently. Explore the details provided below and refer to our frequently asked questions to gain insights into how the program will shape your USD education and prepare you for success.<br>USD's pre-occupational therapy program is designed to prepare you for applications to occupational therapy school. Although you won't graduate with a degree specifically in pre-occupational therapy, the program complements your chosen major, offering a comprehensive pre-professional curriculum. Advising plays a crucial role in navigating any pre-professional path, so it's essential to communicate your interest in occupational therapy school with your advisor and inquire about how this decision will impact your education at USD.